The audit found both Berrey and Smiley-Reeves spent the money in their role as Downstream Development Authority (DDA) members and without the approval of the business committee, which is required by Quapaw Nation code. In a statement, they explained that 'considerable amounts of evidence are being turned over to federal and tribal investigators for their prosecutorial efforts.'Īt the tribe’s annual General Council meeting in October, Chairman Byrd and newly elected secretary treasurer Guy Barker released an audit performed by Innovative Gaming Solutions, a consulting firm that specializes in identifying fraud and training casino employees and outside agencies on how to spot financial crimes inside the industry. Quapaw Nation officials said they're fully cooperating with authorities. 'The Quapaw Nation confirmed today the tribe is looking closely into potential criminal conduct on the part of several former employees and tribal officials, including former Quapaw Nation Tribal Chairman John Berrey and former Quapaw Nation Secretary/Treasurer Tamara Smiley-Reeves,” Byrd said in a statement. Now, following an internal audit and growing questions from tribal citizens, the new tribal administration is alleging Berrey and the tribe’s former secretary treasurer illegally doled out more than $34 million worth of pay raises, bonuses, severance pay and donations, including more than $4 million dollars to former University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer. The tribe's newly-elected chairman is urging citizens to be patient with the audit process and is trying to win back trust.Īfter more than 20 years at the helm of the Quapaw Nation, former Chairman John Berrey was soundly defeated in July by Joseph Tali Byrd. An audit conducted for the Quapaw Nation alleges its former chairman misappropriated millions of dollars in tribal funds.

Downstream casino concerts 2018